THE REAL CAUSE OF CONGESTION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 74, 21 December 1918, Page 8

THE REAL CAUSE OF CONGESTION

.Sir,—"Citizqn," in your issue of to-day, proved one thing only, viz., that the niiimprovpd land value, rating is not responsible for congestion as he supposes. Ho can find dozens of other cities in the same position regarding congested areas, and they rnte on the capital or rental values. Those responsible for such conditions are, or were, the civic fathers, through the lack of proper building • regulations. I represent a town portion of one of the most important shire councils in New South Wales. A plan and specification- must be sub-' mitted and approved before persons can .build on their allotments. "Zα living room must have less than 100 ft. floor space, and not less than ten feet from floor to ceihug; bathroom, 38ft. floor space. Any double-fronted cottage must have hall, or half-hall, ns the case maybe, two ventilators in each room, just below ceiling level. AH subdivision of estates, etc., must be approved of More, any lot enn be sold oiv certificates issued; minimum size of residentiiil allotments 50 fwt frontage by 150 feet deep. On all old sections of 33 feet only single-fronted cottages' are permitted, and nil residences must be three feet from tho adjoining allotment thus allowing reasonable air space, and in other cases they are dealt with on their merits.

The principle of rating in the first place should bo equitable. Take a section of ten allotments, each lot of eqvtl value, and it is necessary to raise .?n,O for (he upkeep of tho roads, footpath;, ami mains, each lot would be iat ed at Xo, an equitable adjustment. ll' one of the owners should expend .i'.iflOO, another .£3OOO, others JDIOOO, we should not penulise them for circulating their thousands, and giving employment to hundred!! of labourers and mechanics, and upon completion nnd occupation giving constant employment to n hundred or more jiersons. Under the antiquated system, viz., rating on capital or rental values, these enterprising and progressive citizens would bo heavily fined, whereaj tho vacant-lot holder would pay ii iiomimil tax, and his land increases in value through .mo expenditure on his own part; but by the expenditure of private and public funds «ml presence and industry of the people—l um. etc., W. 1!. CIUTTKXDEN. Itornsbv, N.S.W.